The Milton Mulberry

Location

Christs College, Cambridge

Variety

Nigra

Access

Garden

OS grid reference

TL 45212 58658

Site class

Veteran, Heritage Tree On A Mound, Planted 1608

The so-called Milton Mulberry was planted in 1608 in the Fellow's Garden. Milton may well have known the tree, but did not plant it. This magnificent, sprawling tree is on a mound. This seems to have been added to support the heavy branches, as archive illustrations of the tree show it standing upright, albeit at an angle. According to historian Nick Chrimes the tree was part of an attempt at sericulture as others were purchased and sheds were built for raising silkworms.
[see the Appendix to the second edition of his fascinating book Cambridge: Treasure Island in the Fens]